A teacher who pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a Vancouver high school student has been banned from the profession for life as a result of the criminal conviction, according to the professional regulator.
Robert Kyle Ledingham, a band and music teacher, was arrested in September 2019, a consent resolution agreement with the British Columbia Commissioner for Teacher Regulation said.
The document was published online Tuesday.
Ledingham was initially charged with two counts of sexual exploitation and one count of sexual assault, but the two sexual exploitation charges were stayed when he pleaded guilty in 2024.
The victim, referred to in the agreement as student A, did not attend the school at which Ledingham taught but was volunteering there, according to the agreement.
On March 10, 2025, Ledingham was handed a 15-month conditional sentence that “included a condition prohibiting him from seeking, obtaining, or continuing with any volunteer position or employment that involves being in a position of trust or authority towards a person under the age of 18 years,” the agreement said.
Other conditions of his sentence included a period of house arrest and a curfew.
Ledingham entered into the consent resolution agreement last month, admitting to professional misconduct and accepting the lifetime ban on reapplying for a teaching certificate within the K-12 education system.
“Ledingham violated his privileged position of power and trust; Ledingham harmed student A’s physical and emotional safety and well-being; and Ledingham’s conduct towards student A constituted a criminal offence,” the agreement said.
If you or someone you know is struggling with sexual assault or trauma, the following resources are available to support people in crisis:
- Call 911 if you are in immediate danger or fear for your safety.
- The Canadian Association of Sexual Assault Centres’ website has a comprehensive list of sexual assault centres in Canada that offer information, advocacy and counselling.
- The Ending Violence Association of Canada‘s website has links to helplines, support services and locations across Canada that offer sexual assault kits.
- Indian Residential School Survivors Society crisis lines: +1 866 925 4419 or +1 800 721 0066 (24/7)
- Toronto Rape Crisis Centre crisis line: +1 416 597 8808 (24/7)
- Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline: +1 833 900 1010 (24/7)
- Trans Lifeline: +1 877 330 6366
- Suicide Crisis Helpline: call or text 988 (24/7)
- Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre for current and former Canadian Armed Forces members: +1 844 750 1648
- Read about your rights as a victim on the Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime website.
